- Nice
- (92)
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France
Velo Blue (Blue Bike) is a public bike rental scheme where you can, after pre-registering with your credit or debit card, just turn up at one of over 90 bike stations all over the city of Nice and pick up a bike using your mobile phone to release the padlock. You then just drop it back at any station when your done and you are charged just for the time you use it. I understand there are similar schemes popping up in other city's all over Europe.
Telephone: +33 (0)4 30 00 30 01 (Press option 2 for English)
www.velobleu.org
Online Information in French www.velobleu.org
Online information in English
www.stayintheheartofnice.com/content/view/34/41/
Station locations all over Nice City Centre (map on websites).
The Côte d'Azur offers art for all the senses. Start in Grasse, the charming historic centre of the perfume industry where you can tour the factories and make your own fragrance at Galimard. Cannes is worth a visit if only for a walk around the marina which provides art at its most bling. For something more traditional and tranquil, head for Renoir’s house at Cagnes-Sur-Mer with its own orange grove. At Nice, make the effort to climb the hill and visit the cemetery where the drama of the statuary is enhanced by the fabulous backdrop of the town and sea. Inland, don’t miss the fortified hilltop village of St Paul Vence which is pretty as a picture and jam-packed with art galleries to rival the biggest cities.
galimard.com, +33.4.93.09.20.00, €45 for 2 hours and your own fragrance.
Successfully avoided the car hire shortage by booking in advance online. Easycar website - easy to use - car ready and waiting on arrival at Nice Airport. Tres bien!
The first time I went to Menton this place was closed. The second time (2009) it was opened and what a great experience.
Although small this collection is wonderful to see. As I entered the building after lunch (2pm) the wonderful air-con was such a joy. Obviously with so many original paintings it had to be kept cool in the searing heat and it was.
Be careful when you go up the steps not to miss the paintings on the walls. The upstairs gallery gives an interesting incite into Mr Cocteau.
They all left me feeling quite inspired as I left. A lovely way to spend an afternoon in Menton IMO.
This is the most elegant (and undiscovered) shop in Nice.
Down by the port near the antiques district, Anne and Bertrand Vignes work quietly away in this chic little boutique making fabulous frames, wallets, belts, bags and jewellery with wonderful exotic leathers.
Jewel coloured crocodile and stingray skins are crafted into cuffs and necklaces - simply stunning. Expensive - yes - but worth saving up for as you won't find anything like it anywhere else on the Cote. And check out Anne's personal style - she always looks amazing.
16 Rue Emmanuel Philibert
0493315418
www.latelierducroco.com
A roast meat restaurant in Vieux Nice: if you're looking for an alternative to pasta, pizza or nicoise cuisine this place will sort you out in no time.
It's a tiny new (opened May 2009) good-looking restaurant/take-away by Place Rossetti offering simply five types of roasted meats, with a choice of either mash, roast potatoes or ratatouille on the side - eat in and you get a mesclun salad included in the price.
We've tried the beef, which is served French-style rare, and lamb so far and they were both delicious: seriously good value at 11euro each. After sharing one generous take-out serving of lamb between two at our apartment rental we were so impressed we went back to dine in the next day.
It's a brilliant concept and a very welcome addition (for carnivores at least) to the Vieille Ville's restaurant scene. Go early if you want the half chicken - or the window seat!
Rossetti - Serie
8 rue Mascoinat (just off Place Rossetti)
Vieux Nice 06300
open Tuesday to Saturday, 12-2pm & 8-10pm
The French Riviera and in particular Nice, Cannes and those areas are always good to visit, but I want to recommend the town of Valbonne. I had a really nice stay there a while ago and resided in a villa nearby that had its own pool and tennis court. Nearby is Grasse for perfume and shopping, Mougins and of course Cannes and long sandy beaches. I can certainly recommend this area.
Easy to fly into Nice, a number of airports and airlines do it. I flew Easyjet from Luton and stayed in a villa from www.qualityvillas.com
This restaurant was recommended on Been there and we decided to check it out. It's set on two floors and is quite small, but stylish. It's definitely not touristy (at least not when we went in March) but very busy with locals. We were lucky to get a table. Service was great. Food and wine delicious. Not sure how expensive it was as someone else picked up the tab - but I think reasonable.
27, rue de la Prefecture
Phone: +33 (0)4 93 85 29 57
For a day-excursion out of Nice, take the train up in to the mountains. The train is tiny and runs on a single track from central Nice to Digne. We actually jumped off half-way in Entrevaux, about one hour from Nice. This is a walled medieval town with a fort that you can walk up to (entry fee €3) – it's a bit of a climb, but the view is well worth it. The town and the fort were deserted when we went in March – but probably gets busy in summer. If you go out of season, I recommend to bring a picnic as there might not be any cafes open.
If you don't mind travelling a bit further, Digne, which is ment to be beautiful, is three hours from Nice. Just make sure you check the time table – the trains only run about six times per day.
This is a great auberge (hotel-restaurant) just above Nice in a cute little provincial village just one hours drive. But it's worth it. The view is magnificent and so is the food. The french chef really makes you feel how he loves what he does. Everything is homemade with fresh produce, which in the summer, comes from the organic farm which he runs with his english wife. Good value too! Menu 31 and 36 euros. But you must reserve as they're very popular on the weekend and during the summer.
Take the RN202 Route de Digne to Puget Theniers and then turn right across a new suspended bridge. In the centre of the village of La Penne just 13kms from Puget Theniers
This is a guided bike tour for discovering Nice.
The tour passed all Nice's main attractions. The guide explained Nice's history during the tour, and answered all questiones sufficiently which were put to him during the tour. The tour is three hours long and included a free coffee (or beer).
The guide also pointed out all the best bars and restaurants for different tastes on the tour - from cheap n cheerful to regional cuisine and top-end romantic.
A great way to orientate yourself in Nice and see it from some fantastic angles.
Boni used to be located at 21 rue Barla in Nice but has moved to 15 rue Tonduti de l'Escarene - a bit closer to the centre of Nice and easier to access either by tram, bus or car.
The place is great and the decor is superb. The floor staff (Igor and JP) is the same as at the former address. They do speak English
fluently which is a great help if yours is basic.
The food is simple and yet full of flavours, taste and colour. The service is excellent and the desserts are... out of this world.
Boni restaurant
15 Rue Tonduti de l'Escarene, 06000 Nice
Bus N°7: Stop Hospital St Roch
Tram: Stop at Gare routière
Car: Nearest car park Marshall - 1h20 min for free
There is a stunning array of tea and coffee and amazing cakes and pastries in this little café and salon de thé. Beautiful decorations and friendly staff add to the effect.
7 Rue Saint François de Paul, Nice
www.maison-auer.com
For quick and tasty street food on the go, try Sur La Pouce.
The moustachioed owner is friendly and chatty - go a second time and chances are he'll remember you.
To get a real taste of classic Nice food go for the assiette Nicoise. It gives you all the classics on one plate: stuffed vegetables, courgette flowers, sardines etc.
On Rue St Francois in the Old Town
It is one of the recommendations on this site: www.nice-city-vacation.com/nice-restaurant.html
My HUGE tip - stay in Nice Old Town soak up the sunshine and then hop on a train to go and whizz down the pistes in the alps! It's way closer than you think, and great value - a skiing holiday on the med? Yes!
Range of accommodation from studios and two/three bedroom apartments with sea views on the beachfront. Three or five bedroom villas in Nice or Cannes for all budgets for your summer holiday or winter break on the French Riviera. Personal and friendly service with airport pick-up on arrival with guided drive to your holiday apartment.
Tel +12066005710
www.riviera-rental.eu
www.riviera-rental-france.com
There are hundreds of estate agents along the French Riviera. I have dealt with these in the recent past and my experience was very positive. They are fully registered estate agents, so the buyer is protected.
They don't do rentals themselves but can put you in touch with property managers who can organise a great apartment to rent for a week or so!
Just a quick tip. Hope it helps someone.
This is a fairly new restaurant, at least it wasn't around last time we visited, but we could have missed it. It is on Rue de Prefecture and it serves traditional Nicois dishes.
It is quite small and cosy with some tables outside. It's always busy and we'd highly recommend booking a few days before (we had to try three times before we got a table). It is a much better experience than the tourist trap of the Cours Saleya, and just two streets back.
Rue de Prefecture
A very reliable, friendly rental service run by Matthew, Gale and Annina. It is the third time we have stayed with Nice Pebbles and we can't recommend them highly enough. Part of the job is easy since they are promoting such a great place, but you can't fault their commitment and attention to detail on the apartments we have stayed in.
The new tram has finally arrived in Nice. It runs eight km from Las Planas to Pont Michel, stopping in between at Gare Thiers, Jean Medicin, Place Massena and up to Place Garibaldi.
The cost per journey is a standard fare of 1.30 euros. You can also get a day pass for four euros entitling you to unlimited travel for the day. You can buy tickets at any of the self-service stations where you catch the tram.
The journey from Place Massena to Pont Michel takes approx 16 minutes and there is a tram every four minutes during peak times and every eight minutes off-peak. Trams run from 4 am until 2.30 am the next morning.
For more information go to:
www.tramway-nice.org
www.lignedazur.com
Is this your business?Search Been there
